Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

At 20-15 and sitting fifth in the Western Conference (as of Monday night), the Lakers are very firmly in that cluster of teams that have shown themselves to be better than the fringe-y teams but not as good as the elite ones. As Rob Pelinka shifts into high gear (or at least Trade Season does), the Lakers have a very narrow window to pass through when it comes to making impactful moves. They've already used their most straightforward trade chip, D'Angelo Russell (along with a handful of second round picks) to acquire Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. They don't have much inventory left. One of the biggest things the Lakers can do, then, is maximize the assets they have. And with every day that passes since DFS arrived in LA, it seems like the Lakers are on a path to do just that. Or try to, at least. It would mean swapping Finney-Smith and Rui Hachimura in the starting lineup. Why? For defense, for better bench scoring, and to make the best use of what the Lakers have. There are other compelling reasons, as well. Will JJ Redick pull the trigger?  HOSTS: Andy and Brian KamenetzkySEGMENT 1: Why the second half against Houston was very important. SEGMENT 2: Rui or Finney-Smith in the starting lineup? SEGMENT 3: Do the Lakers need to trade for positions or skill sets?  Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!PrizepicksNow’s the perfect time to join.Download the app todayand use code LOCKEDONNBA to get $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup! That’s right—no need to win to get the bonus, it’s guaranteed. PrizePicks—Run Your Game! Ultimate GMA special offer for Locked On NBA listeners: Use promo code LOCKEDONCBB (all caps) when you download Ultimate College Basketball HC at ultimate-cbb.com or look it up on the app stores, to get a free boost for your program. It’s the perfect way to kickstart your coaching career. Ultimate College Basketball HC—begin your coaching legacy today! Turbo TaxReady for stress-free taxes and the most money back, guaranteed? Head over to TurboTax.com today and get matched with your Expert. Only available with TurboTax Live Full Service. Real-time updates only in the iOS mobile app. See guarantee details at TurboTax.com/guarantees.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelFrom big upsets to game-winning drives, the NFL Playoffs are better with FanDuelnew customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED BUCKS in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED - Win or Lose.Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started. Make this playoff season unforgettable with FanDuel, an official sportsbook partner of the NFL. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) 

As the saying often goes, this 119-115 loss to the Houston Rockets was “a tale of two halves” for the Lakers. In the first half, the Lakers looked like a team either experiencing some undefeated nightlife in Houston or that had gotten a little too high on their own supply of “The Lakers are back and playing defense, baby!!!” coverage over the last couple of weeks. Even acknowledging the very obvious age and athleticism advantage that anybody would have expected on the Rockets’ side, the Lakers spent the opening 24 minutes in a much slower (and seemingly more disinterested) gear. The first half featured various Houstonians streaking down court in transition off every Laker turnover or missed shot. The Lakers got absolutely crushed in the second chance points battle. (They didn’t record *any* until the second half.) Jalen Green scored 18 of his 33 total points in the FIRST QUARTER, inside and out, with precious little resistance from Lakers defenders. Frankly, it felt lucky that the Lakers were only down 18 entering halftime. The game hadn’t even felt that close. But something must have been effectively (or angrily) stated by JJ Redick in the visitor’s locker room, because the Lakers were a completely different team during the final 24 minutes. Especially defensively. (Redick made a curious early substitution, pulling Rui Hachimura for Dorian Finney-Smith, which could be a preview of Tuesday’s starting lineup in Dallas, and either way, was indicative of the more successful defense the Lakers coach was clearly trying to crank up.) The ball was moving to better effect. The rebounding became less lopsided. And the Lakers looked like a team that was capable of matching this upstart Rockets team bounce for bounce. However, that disastrous start left the Lakers too little of a cushion to absorb any mistakes, and there were a few critical ones in the last couple of minutes. LeBron James was called for an offensive foul with 38.1 seconds left in the game.  Down three with 5.1 seconds left, inbounder Max Christie (who I’d argue isn’t experienced enough for this job in crunchtime to begin with) either panicked or forgot the team had another timeout left, and turned the ball over trying a pass to LeBron. (Who, to his credit, tried to call timeout, but none of the refs noticed.) A few seconds later, now down four and looking for a miracle, the ball was successfully inbounded to LeBron, who hit a three… that was wiped out because of Anthony Davis’ illegal screen. In the end, the final score was a reinforcement of what’s become evident all season. The Lakers are a good team… but not yet at a level with a high margin of error. Are they capable of beating a team like the Rockets despite a halfa**ed first half? Possibly. But not nearly capable enough that you’d ever want to bet on them pulling it off.   

Anthony Davis scored 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to go along with 5 blocks, but it wasn’t enough, as the Houston Rockets outlasted the visiting Lakers 119-115. Jalen Green led the Rockets with 33 points, while Amen Thompson added 23 points and 16 rebounds. The Lakers will look to get back on the winning side of things Tuesday in Dallas against the Mavericks. Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rui, Hachimura Austin Reeves, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dalton Knecht, Lakers vs Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Support Us, By Supporting Our Sponsors! BILT•      Bilt Rewards. If you’re a renter, Bilt, you can now earn points on rent payments, just like you do with groceries or travel. Paying rent now comes with serious perks, and it’s completely free to join!FAN DUEL Get ready to tackle the NFL action with FanDuel America’s – Number One Sportsbook! Because right now, new customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS, if you win!GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.Mint MobileTo get the new customer offer and your new 3-month premium wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to mintmobile.com/lockedonnba. See Mint Mobile for details.PRIZEPICKS – is the best place to get real money sports action. Run your game all season long on Prize Picks. America’s#1 daily fantasy sports app. Robinhood GoldRobinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. ROCKET MONEYCancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney dot com slash lockedon today. That’s RocketMoney dot com slash lockedon. RocketMoney dot com slash lockedon.SKYLIGHT FRAME•      If you’re having a hard time finding the perfect gift, you have to try Sky Light Frame. You can try Skylight Frame today when you go to SkylightFrames.com/nba

The Lakers entered Friday's game against the Hawks at the Crypt with some tangible momentum, having won three of their last four, and six of their last eight. They used a very efficient effort on both sides of the ball to keep it going, picking up their 20th win of the season, 119-102. Offensively, LA was led by LeBron James, who followed up Thursday's 38-point effort against Portland with 30 points tonight. Anthony Davis was a monster, with 18 points, 19 rebounds, plus six "stocks" (steals+blocks). Austin Reaves? 20 points, seven boards, six assists. Off the bench, Dalton Knecht broke out of his shooting slump, hitting three of four from downtown. And as a team, the Lakers shot nearly 50 percent from the floor (48.9%), including 43% from 3-point range. They hit 80 percent of their free throws. Put all of that together, and it's a winning formula on offense, assuming you bring the requisite defense. And that they did. Beyond the impact of Anthony Davis's blocks and steals, the Lakers used solid defensive pressure to hold Atlanta to 41% shooting. There wasn't anything particularly flashy about what the Lakers did, which is one of the reasons the win was noteworthy. They just delivered a solid, efficient game to overwhelm a Hawks squad that had been playing well heading in. 20-14 is where the Lakers needed to be as they head to Texas for two games before returning home for an extended homestand. They have some winnable games upcoming, and the Lakers are playing in a way where you'd expect wins to come.  HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Rocket RXRight now, our listeners can get 40% off your first order when you use code LOCKEDONNBA at RocketRX.com. Terms and Conditions apply.Rocket RX: Better sex, made simple.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelThe NFL Playoffs are almost here, but it’s not too late to get in on the regular season action with FanDuel because right now, new customers can finish the season strong with TWO HUNDRED and FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins. Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)